OCZ Vertex 450 SSD Review

It was only last month that I reviewed the OCZ Vertex 3.20.
The Vertex 3.20 was a refresh of the original Vertex 3, basically using the
same SSD controller, but this time using 20nm IMFT NAND.

This month I'm taking a look at OCZ's new Vertex 4 refresh,
the Vertex 450 series. For the Vertex 450 series, the transition to 20nm NAND
has been made. But it's not only the NAND that has been updated from the
original Vertex 4, the controller has also been updated. The original Vertex 4
used Marvell silicon, and in house Indilinx infused firmware. For the Vertex
450 series, OCZ has gone all in house, and used a new variant of the Indilinx
BareFoot 3 SSD controller, the BareFoot 3 M10, and their own Indilinx infused
firmware.

OCZ were kind enough to send me a review sample of their new
Vertex 450 SSD. The review sample they sent was the 256GB version, but OCZ also
offer a 128GB and 512GB versions of the Vertex 450. So let's find out how the
Vertex 450 performs in this review.

OCZ Technology company information

OCZ should need no introduction, but those of you who would
like to find out more about OCZ Technology, can do so at their website.

The OCZ Vertex 450 - 256GB SSD

Now it’s time to take a look at the drive itself and what it
came shipped with.

Packaging

The SSD I received was a retail unit, so let's start first with
the packaging.

On the underside of the SSD, I found a label which displays
the SSD model number, storage capacity, and indicates that the SSD was
manufactured in Taiwan.

The case itself is 7mm thick and designed to be housed in a
standard 2.5 inch drive bay, or a 3.5 inch drive bay using the supplied 2.5
inch to 3.5 inch converter bracket. The case is an all metal affair, and is
very nicely styled. The SSD itself is quite heavy, and feels very solidly
built.

Now let's head to the next page, where we look in more
detail at the OCZ Vertex 450 SSD.....